MOSCOW. May 24 (Interfax) - Units of ISIL (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) have seized control of a Philippine province, and the hostilities are in progress, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
"ISIL units have seized control of a province, and the hostilities are ongoing. Alas, I have to depart so that I could be there," Duterte said.
The attacks have inflicted casualties, he said.
Speaking of cooperation with Russia in the military-technical and other fields, the Philippine president said his republic needed modern weapons to fight ISIL.
"Our country definitely needs modern weapons; we have placed some orders with the United States, but the situation there is not quite smooth at the moment. We need modern weapons to fight ISIL, their units and groups," Duterte said.
"Mr. President, we, including me personally, have come here to gain your support and to ask for your assistance," Duterte told Putin.
As to bilateral relations with Russia, Duterte said that Moscow is a close friend of the Philippines, and the Philippines feels the same way.
"We would like to continue strengthening our relations in all areas. Your country is our reliable partner, indeed, and we wish that, no matter what, incidents of the kind we have encountered happen in your country as rarely as possible," he said.
"I have come here today to gain your support and to attest to our friendship," Duterte said.